Senior IT Engineer

At Turion, our IT Ops team builds the corporate infrastructure that enables employees to design, build, and operate spacecraft. As a Senior IT Engineer, you will be a technical leader and mentor on the IT Ops team, responsible for tackling the most challenging support issues while building the automated, scalable systems that prevent them from recurring. You will be a key player in maturing our IT operations, blending deep systems administration expertise with a modern, automation-first mindset. You will not only solve complex problems but also design and implement the "paved road" solutions that empower our users and streamline our workflows.What You'll DoServe as a primary escalation point for complex and high-severity technical issues, providing expert-level support for systems, networks, and applications.Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for recurring problems, moving beyond tactical fixes to develop and implement long-term, automated solutions.Design, build, and maintain automation for critical IT workflows, including employee onboarding/offboarding, software provisioning, system patching, and endpoint configuration using tools like PowerShell, Python, and Ansible.Act as a technical lead on IT projects, such as storage and backup modernization, virtualization platform buildout, and the implementation of new self-service tools.Mentor and develop junior IT staff, sharing knowledge, establishing best practices for troubleshooting, and championing a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing (KCS).Administer and enhance core IT infrastructure, including our Windows and Linux environments, virtualization platforms, and cloud services, with a focus on reliability and scalability.Collaborate with Platform Engineering and InfoSec to consume internal services and ensure IT systems are deployed securely and in alignment with company standards. You will be an "expert consumer" of the internal platform, providing valuable feedback to improve it.Contribute to the maturity of the help desk function by creating runbooks, improving support workflows, and identifying opportunities to deflect tickets through better documentation and self-service.Minimum Qualifications5+ years in IT operations, systems administration, or a similar role with a demonstrated progression of skills and responsibilities.Expert-level scripting and automation skills (e.g., PowerShell, Python, Bash) with a portfolio of projects demonstrating your ability to eliminate manual IT processes.Experience with configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.Deep, hands-on experience administering both Windows and Linux server environments.Strong working knowledge of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPNs) and virtualization platforms (Hyper-V or VMware).Experience acting as a technical escalation point and mentoring junior team members.Proven ability to lead technical projects from conception to completion.A problem-solving mindset with a passion for digging into root causes and building lasting solutions.Strong administration experience with Azure AD/Entra ID, IAM architectures, and MDM (Mobile Device Management) systems.Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret and/or TS/SCI security clearancePreferred QualificationsFamiliarity with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles and tools like Terraform.Experience in a regulated or security-sensitive environment (defense, aerospace, government contracting) and familiarity with compliance frameworks (CMMC, NIST).Experience working in a hybrid environment with both on-premise and cloud (AWS, Azure) infrastructure.Hands-on experience with Git-based workflows for managing code and configurations.A demonstrated passion for improving user experience and building self-service tools.Experience with modern IT service management (ITSM) practices and the Knowledge-Centered Service (KCS) methodology.Senior IT Engineer Salary: $140,000 - $180,000Employees may be asked to support alternate shifts, extended shifts, and/or travel during peak work periods.ITAR Requirements:This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.Benefits:We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's successHealth Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan with a 3% Employer Direct Contribution to help you plan for your future.Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge.Parental Leave: Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption.Emotional Wellbeing: A no-cost Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your household’s emotional health and wellbeing.Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing internal training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment.We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual. Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.Compensation Range: $140K - $180KLocationIrvine, CAEmployment TypeFull timeLocation TypeOn-siteDepartmentIT & NetworkCompensation$140K – $180KBase salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks.